34 MELON CULTURE 



as it can be worked, using a jointer on the plow in 

 order to make sure that all the vegetation is turned 

 under. The soil is then worked over several times 

 in order to get it thoroughly pulverized and com- 

 pact. As the time for planting approaches, the land 

 is thoroughly harrowed and then marked off with 

 either a breaking plow or an ordinary single shovel 

 plow, 10 by 10, 9 by 9, or 8 by 10 feet for water- 

 melons, and about 5 by 5 or 5 by 6 feet for musk- 

 melons. A shovelful of well-rotted stable manure 

 is then placed at each intersection of the furrows 

 where the hills are to be and well worked into the 

 soil. This gives the young plants an early and vig- 

 orous start, and if the balance of the soil is in fairly 

 good condition, from plowing under clover and 

 other cover crops, they are able to maintain a good 

 growth throughout the season. Where stable 

 manure cannot be obtained, a mixture of commer- 

 cial fertilizer, similar to the formula given by Voor- 

 hees. is used, thoroughly mixed with the soil before 

 planting. 



